UB Now Ranks 12th Among Top U.S. Campuses In International Enrollment

In a year showing a smaller increase in international students than usual, UB's enrollment is up

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo, long a leader among
major American research universities in the percentage of
international students enrolled, ranked 12th among the top 25 U.S.
campuses hosting international students in 2009-10, up from
2008-09, when it ranked 17th.

Among New York State institutions of higher education, last year
only New York University and Columbia University enrolled more
international students than UB.

The data comes from the "Open Doors 2010" report issued Nov. 15
by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The report lists
UB's 2009-10 international student enrollment at 4,911 or 17
percent of its total student enrollment of 28,881. In the 2008-09
academic year, UB's international enrollment constituted 12 percent
of total enrollment.

The 5 percent increase in UB enrollment since last year also is
markedly higher than the 1.5 percent increase among all U.S.
institutions.

The economic benefit of international students to Western New
York this year was $92.5 million as of September, according to a
report by NAFSA, the Association of International Educators.

"I am delighted that UB continues to be such an attractive
destination for international students from around the world," said
Stephen C. Dunnett, PhD, vice provost for international education
at UB.

"They appreciate what UB can offer: distinguished faculty and
superb teaching, outstanding academic programs and cutting-edge
research opportunities. UB's relatively low costs compared to other
U.S. research universities make it an excellent value for
international students, who are largely self-funded," he said.

"Moreover, they recognize that UB provides international student
services and support that are second to none. The entire university
community has a role in making UB such a welcoming and supportive
place for our international students," Dunnett said.

The IIE report covers international education activities during
a period of economic downturn in the United States and in many
countries around the world, which may be why the number of
international students at colleges and universities in the U.S.
increased by only 1.5 percent last year (after increases of 8.3,
10.0, 10.1 and 15.8 percent from 2005-06 to 2008-09,
respectively).

Nevertheless, the IIE says even that small increase represents a
record high enrollment of 690,923 international students in U.S.
institutions in 2009-10.

In all, the report indicates that international students
contribute more than $20 billion to the U.S economy through their
expenditures on tuition and living expenses, and that higher
education is among the United States' top services sector
exports.

New York ranks second among the states in the number of
international students enrolled -- a total of 76,146 this year --
and realized a state economic benefit of $2.296 billion, $92.5
million of which, as noted above, directly benefited Western New
York.

Its data reveals a complicated picture of international student
enrollment in U.S. colleges and universities, with enrollment
patterns varying widely according to place of origin and academic
level.

For instance, there were strong increases in the number of
incoming students from a few countries, but more than half of the
top 25 sending countries showed decreases, resulting in the slower
rate of overall growth than in recent years. Nevertheless, each of
the top five U.S. host states -- California, New York, Texas,
Massachusetts and Illinois -- saw increases in the number of
international students they hosted.

"Open Doors 2010" reports increases in foreign student
enrollments from five of the 10 leading places of origin, and 11 of
the top 25. There was a 30 percent increase in the number of
students coming to the U.S. from China and an increase of 25
percent from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is now the seventh leading
sending country, a result of the Saudi government's substantial
investment in study abroad scholarships.

Increases in enrollments of 6 percent or less were reported from
India, Vietnam, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France,
Nigeria, Malaysia and Venezuela. Vietnam showed a 2 percent
increase, compared to the more than 45 percent increases it had
shown in the previous two years.

There was a 2 percent increase in the number of students from
India, a lower rate of increase than in previous years, although
Indians remain the second largest international student group.
There are tens of thousands more students from India attending
college in the U.S. than from any other country except China.

Among the other leading places of origin, the most notable
decline was seen among Japanese students, with a 15 percent decline
following a 14 percent drop the previous year; Japan is No. 6 this
year among sending nations. The number of students from Mexico
decreased by 9 percent, those from Indonesia decreased by 7.5
percent, and there was an 8 percent drop in Kenyan students.

There was a decline of 5 percent or less in the number of
students from the other leading senders: South Korea, Canada,
Taiwan, Nepal, Germany, Thailand, Hong Kong, Colombia, Pakistan and
Russia. A 3 percent decline in Nepal's enrollment reverses the
large increases of recent years, most recently 30 percent in
2008-09.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public
university, a flagship institution in the State University of New
York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's
more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through
more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree
programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of
the Association of American Universities.